The soundtrack for the much-anticipated action romatic comedy film Chennai Express is one of the best I've listened to. The music is upbeat, innovative, and just plain fun. And when the soundtrack ends, you feel slightly bereft that there isn't more.
This feeling is echoed widely. "The frothy, funny and romantic music mirrors the film's theme," writes Filmfare music reviewer Devesh Sharma. Reviewer Yashida Mathur (IANS) characterizes the music as "full-on fun" and that it "chugs on experimentation":
"Here's another winner from Vishal-Shekhar. It is likely to appeal to music lovers of all age-groups and sentiments. An entertaining all-rounder, the composers must be applauded for fusing different music and beats to pep up the otherwise usual Bollywood music."
The CD package is beautifully illustrated with stylized images based on the film and includes an insert featuring key lyrics from each of the songs. It also includes a summary of the film:
"You often meet your destiny on the road you take to avoid it!"
Chennai Express is the story of a 40-year-old bachelor Rahul, who lands up in a totally unexpected journey that makes him realise the importance of Love, Life, Relationships and Sacrifice!
A stimulating train voyage that not only takes Rahul accidentally to his destination but also makes him realise the power of True Love!
The music and background score of the film is composed by the duo Vishal-Shekhar. Recording of the songs began in late October 2012. The track information was revealed on June 27, 2013. The official music launch was on July 3 and the film will be released on August 9.
Here are the tracks with links to additional resources.
1. "One Two Three Four (Get on the Dance Floor)"
This fun, upbeat song will really get you dancing and singing along. At times it reminds me of a raucous Irish jig at a local pub. Mumbai Mirror's Anand Holla explains that the song "clings on to the instantly recognisable Tamil folk form of the percussion-heavy dappan kuthu music. Why? Because a South-flavoured dance riot is mandatory. While Hamsika Iyer and Vishal pack in a lot of spunk, it's the racy interplay of kuthu percussions that keeps this infectious 'booty shake' number interesting." The song was released as a promotional single on World Music Day.
Links: Official Video Song (T-Series) | Lyrics with English Translation (BollywoodLife)
Singers: Vishal Dadlani, Hamsika Iyer; Tamil Rap: Sricharan Kasturirangan
Length: 3:48
2. "Titli"
The video promo of the song "Titli" (English translation: "Butterfly") was released on 27 June 2013. This gentle love song, told primarily from the female perspective, is intensified by the way the male and female vocals weave together, overlap and dance along on the melody line. According to music reviewer Shresht Poddar, the Tamil lyrics at the beginning and end of the song were written several hundreds of years ago by Tiruppanazhwar, a Vaishnavite devotee. In several of the english translations of the song, this beautiful Tamil poetry isn't included in the translation. Lyrics Mint provides the following translation:
Tamil Poetry
Kondal vannanaik kovalanay venney
Unda vayan en, Ullam kavarndhanai (x2)
Andar kon ani arangkan en amudhinaik
Andar kon ani arangkan en amudhinaik
Kanda kangal marronrinaik kanave
I have seen the One whose color is like dark rainclouds
He is the one with the mouth that swallowed the butter of cowherds,
He is the Lord of the devas, He is Lord Ranganatha,
He is my nectar, my life!
My eyes have seen my Lord and will not see anything else!
These Tamil verses offer a confident embrace around this tender love song, as if to provide support for the characters struggling with their hidden feelings for each other.
Links: Official Video Song (T-Series) | Lyrics with English Translation (BollyMeaning)
Singers: Chinmayi, Gopi Sunder.
Length: 5:50
3. "Tera Rastaa Chhodoon Na"
The opening measures of this song promise to take you on a journey that you won't easily forget - you can almost hear the clip-clip of the train along the tracks. This is another love song of the film, told primarily from the male perspective. "Amitabh Bhattacharya isn’t your quintessential Bollywood singer, so when he sings a song penned by himself ," writes Nirmika Singh (Hindustan Times), "he brings a certain conviction to it." In a recent Bollywood Hungama interview, Shah Rukh Khan said this is his favorite track. Here's a clip of him singing this song at the Chennai Express music launch.
Links: Official Video Song (T-Series) | Lyrics with English Translation (BollyMeaning)
Singers: Amitabh Bhattacharya, Anusha Mani
Length: 4:13
4. "Kashmir Main, Tu Kanyakumari"
This is another song that takes you on a journey - but the flavor of the music lets you know this will be a unique adventure. This song is about how opposites attract - "I'm Kashmir and you're Kanyakumari" or "I'm from the north and you're from the south." Kashmir refers to the northern region of India, including a portion of the Himalayas, whereas Kanyakumari lies at the southernmost tip of mainland India.
Links: Official Video Song (T-Series) | Lyrics with English Translation (BollyMeaning)
Singers: Sunidhi Chauhan, Arijit Singh, Neeti Mohan
Length: 5:08
5. "Ready Steady Po"
Recorded in November 2012, the track "Ready Steady Po" was attributed as "insane" by the music composers. And it definitely is insanely fun to listen and dance to! If you want to get people pumped and on their feet for for action, just play this song.
Links: About the Title (BollyMeaning)
Singers: Vishal Dadlani, Brodha V, Smokey, Enkore, Natalie Di Luccio
Length: 3:27
6. "Chennai Express (title track)"
In mid-April 2013, singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam recorded the title track for the film, marking his return to Bollywood for playback after fifteen years. According to Mid-Day Infomedia, "Shekhar Ravjiani says, 'When we were composing music for Chennai Express, we thought we should have a touch of the South in the songs as well. We are huge fans of Balasubramaniam, and decided to approach him.'" SPB sings the song as a celebration of the spirit of togetherness. Though the singer may have been apprehensive at first, he opted to sing considering the content and leads of the film. This song is particularly enjoyable as it opens with mentions of those involved in making the film.
Links: Official Video Song with Lyrics (T-Series) | Lyrics with English Translation (BollyMeaning)
Singer: S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Length: 4:44
7. "Titli (Dubstep)"
This version pumps up the beat an adds a bit of techno - but doesn't detract from the gentleness of the love song.
Singers: Phoenyx, Zoheb Khan
Length: 3:40
8. "Chennai Express (mashup)"
This is a fantastic fun finale which mashes up a the title track with "One Two Three Four". It may be the song that plays over the closing credits. The Koimoi team said this tune was "first rate", adding: "Enmeshing the title track along with the raunchy item number 1,2,3,4… Vishal-Shekhar duo have done a fabulous job at adding in the techno beats in this song well."
Singer: DJ Kiran Kamath
Length: 3:38
If you haven't downloaded or obtained the CD, you can listen to the music online through the T-Series Video Jukebox, below.
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